British researchers have revealed that, for the first time, a connection between a chemical used in fabricating plastic containers, baby bottles and other products of the like and health issues in humans has been proven.

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that bisphenol A (BPA) renders people more prone to heart diseases and diabetes. Looking at urine and blood samples from 1,455 United States adults between the ages of 18 and 74, scientists found that those who had the highest level of BPA in their bodies were two times more likely to develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Nevertheless, the researchers stated that further investigation into the matter was necessary in order to come to any relevant conclusion.

Up to this point, there is no information on the mechanism via which bisphenol A  might give rise to the aforementioned health problems. Previous studies on animals have revealed that BPA may disrupt the hormone called estrogen, causing reproductive issues and possibly increasing the risk of developing breast or prostate cancer.

The chemical is used to make polycarbonate plastic, a very durable material with high-impact resistance that can be found in various products ranging from water bottles, eyeglass lenses and compact discs to medical devices.

In April, Canada made a decision to ban some of the products that used BPA, also declaring the chemical harmful to babies.

Researchers presented the results of their study to the Food and Drug Administration during their Tuesday session. The latter stood by their previously stated assesment that  bisphenol A is safe, given the current level of exposure.